LILLE: World number 22 Poland stunned world number seven Pakistan 3-2 in their last round robin tie of the Hockey World Cup 2010 Qualifiers at the Métropole Club Ground here on Saturday.
The green shirts were leading 1-0 at half time. With this stunning victory over Pakistan, Poland finished the table at third spot behind world number 14 Japan who will face Pakistan in the final on Sunday (today) at the same venue. In other matches of the day, Italy played a draw against Russia 2-2 after leading 2-0 at break and Japan crushed the French hopes for the final when they defeated the hosts 3-2 after leading 2-1 at lemon break.
After more early morning rain, the first match of the day started under a timid, but much welcome, sun! Both teams were inspired by the improved weather conditions and produced an entertaining display of attacking hockey. It took time for the match to gain some structure, both teams initially favouring long runs to try and warm up. Pakistan benefitted early from a harsh penalty-corner but Sohail Abbas flicked it too high. Muhammad Waqas gave over confident Pakistan the lead in the 29th minute when he netted a brilliant field goal and the lead was maintained throughout the first half. Muhammad Zubair doubled it in the 42nd minute. After scoring two goals, the green shirts became lethargic and that gave Poland a perfect opportunity to strike back.
Action became more intense in the Pakistan circle and Poland slammed three goals in 45th (field goal), 58th (field goal) and 60th (penalty corner) minutes to shock skipper Zeeshan Ashraf and his comrades. Pakistan, who recorded four consecutive victories in the qualifying round, seemed off-colour and their defence line did nothing to stop the aggressive Poland who dominated the second period. Pakistan struggled to penetrate the Polish circle and create clean shooting opportunities but their opponents showed a more mature game and there was no more scoring as Poland earned a surprising, but well deserved, win over top ranked Pakistan.
“We played poorly,” admitted Pakistan coach Shahid Ali Khan after the match. “In fact we should have beaten Poland but they played a better game than us,” Shahid added. He said Pakistan would give their best in the final against Japan. “We defeated Japan 6-1 in the league contest and hopefully repeat our performance against them to make it to New Delhi,” Shahid said. The qualifiers conclude today when Russia face Italy for the 5th and 6th places, Poland meet host France for the 3rd and 4th places, and Pakistan lock horns with Japan in the winner-take-all final. At stake is a single berth for the FIH World Cup 2010.
TABLE
Team P W D L GF GA PTS
Pakistan 5 4 0 1 22 6 12
Japan 5 4 0 1 14 10 12
Poland 5 3 1 1 13 9 10
France 5 2 1 2 13 12 7
Russia 5 0 1 4 6 17 1
Italy 5 0 1 4 3 17 1
The green shirts were leading 1-0 at half time. With this stunning victory over Pakistan, Poland finished the table at third spot behind world number 14 Japan who will face Pakistan in the final on Sunday (today) at the same venue. In other matches of the day, Italy played a draw against Russia 2-2 after leading 2-0 at break and Japan crushed the French hopes for the final when they defeated the hosts 3-2 after leading 2-1 at lemon break.
After more early morning rain, the first match of the day started under a timid, but much welcome, sun! Both teams were inspired by the improved weather conditions and produced an entertaining display of attacking hockey. It took time for the match to gain some structure, both teams initially favouring long runs to try and warm up. Pakistan benefitted early from a harsh penalty-corner but Sohail Abbas flicked it too high. Muhammad Waqas gave over confident Pakistan the lead in the 29th minute when he netted a brilliant field goal and the lead was maintained throughout the first half. Muhammad Zubair doubled it in the 42nd minute. After scoring two goals, the green shirts became lethargic and that gave Poland a perfect opportunity to strike back.
Action became more intense in the Pakistan circle and Poland slammed three goals in 45th (field goal), 58th (field goal) and 60th (penalty corner) minutes to shock skipper Zeeshan Ashraf and his comrades. Pakistan, who recorded four consecutive victories in the qualifying round, seemed off-colour and their defence line did nothing to stop the aggressive Poland who dominated the second period. Pakistan struggled to penetrate the Polish circle and create clean shooting opportunities but their opponents showed a more mature game and there was no more scoring as Poland earned a surprising, but well deserved, win over top ranked Pakistan.
“We played poorly,” admitted Pakistan coach Shahid Ali Khan after the match. “In fact we should have beaten Poland but they played a better game than us,” Shahid added. He said Pakistan would give their best in the final against Japan. “We defeated Japan 6-1 in the league contest and hopefully repeat our performance against them to make it to New Delhi,” Shahid said. The qualifiers conclude today when Russia face Italy for the 5th and 6th places, Poland meet host France for the 3rd and 4th places, and Pakistan lock horns with Japan in the winner-take-all final. At stake is a single berth for the FIH World Cup 2010.
TABLE
Team P W D L GF GA PTS
Pakistan 5 4 0 1 22 6 12
Japan 5 4 0 1 14 10 12
Poland 5 3 1 1 13 9 10
France 5 2 1 2 13 12 7
Russia 5 0 1 4 6 17 1
Italy 5 0 1 4 3 17 1
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